montréal phonograph
Recently exhibited as part of:
IGNITION
CAROLINE BOILEAU, TIA HALLIDAY, EMMA WALTRAUD HOWES,
DOUGLAS MOFFAT, MÉLANIE ROCAN, JERRY ROPSON,
CARA SAWKA
DECEMBER 13TH, 2007 TO JANUARY 12TH, 2008
The Leonard & Bina Ellen Art Gallery
Originating in the question – if the island of Montreal were a vinyl record, what would it sound like? – the key element in this project is the stylus.
Through development of a custom designed stylus apparatus the island’s terrain is recorded and extrapolated. When physically passed over a particular terrain, the device records both piezoelectric signals and pressure/velocity midi data. This data, analogous to a record needle translating the undulating grooves of a record, is then translated itself into audible sound.
A vaguely oblong shape of the island of montréal is slowly transformed into an object of recorded sound. Following a spiralling trajectory, site recordings are recieved from the outer edges of Chemin du bord du lac to the green centre of parc Mont Royal.
Montreal Phonograph is part of series of investigations exploring the possibilities of landscape and the sonic environment; this project is an investigation of surface condition and the sound object.